‘CLASH PERFECT TIMING’

HUGO LLORIS believes now is the perfect time to face Chelsea for Tottenham – despite their very conflicting form. Tottenham have won just once in nine games in all competitions, coming back late on Saturday to beat West Ham 3-2. And their latest London derby is set to prove problematic too, with Antonio Conte’s men on a stunning run. Chelsea have won six successive Premier League games without conceding, but Spurs skipper Lloris feels the trip to Stamford Bridge will offer them a chance at proper redemption. “Our fans, our club and most of all our players had a lot of expectations in this competition,” Lloris told the club’s official website. “We fought a lot last season to get this Champions League place. We’re very disappointed,

very frustrated with the way we played. It’s a big disappointment but we need to keep our chins up because it’s a big game tomorrow. The only thing is to digest the frustration of this defeat and look forward.” Should Spurs rediscover top form at Chelsea with a win, they will move to within a point of the Blues, who currently hold top spot.

Pochettino has now confirmed that the 27year-old will also miss Saturday’s London derby. The Belgian defender’s absence against the league leaders will be a big blow to Spurs, who are looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season. Spurs will now be without two of their first team defenders for the visit to Stamford Bridge with Danny Rose currently serving a onematch ban. The England international picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign against West Ham United last Saturday. “I’m kicking myself because it was so unnecessary and yeah that (the Chelsea game) was the first fixture I looked out for in the summer and I am gutted that I am going to miss it,” Rose said after the game. Ben Davies is also another doubt for this Saturday’s game and will likely force Pochettino to rethink his formation for the game against Antonio Conte’s team.